Well, I just hate to spoil all the summer suspense, but here’s the 49ers’ 53-man roster projection: QB (2): Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert Cut: Dylan Thompson Thompson, a rookie free agent, is obviously a strong candidate for the practice squad given the skimpy depth chart at this position. The 49ers didn’t use one of their …

Before the preseason opener against the Ravens last week, cornerback Chris Culliver hadn’t played a game since a Super Bowl loss to Baltimore 18 months earlier. That game also doubled as the worst performance of his career, as Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco picked on him for part of his 287 yards and three touchdowns. …

Blake Costanzo, a special-teams standout who was a leader of the 49ers’ 2011 “Tony Montana” squad, won’t make the roster in his second tour with the team. Costanzo, 30, was placed on injured reserve today because of an undisclosed injury. …

At the moment, for the 49ers, the news is a bit bittersweet: Aldon Smith has never been better. At least that’s the word coming from those who have seen the 49ers All-Pro outside linebacker in training camp. …

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Near the end of Monday’s practice, 49ers center Daniel Kilgore and Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs helped each other off the ground and held onto each other when they got to their feet, making it briefly appear as if they were locked in an embrace. …

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – What’s the best part about practicing against the Ravens? The answer is easy for 49ers left tackle Joe Staley, who regularly faces an All-Pro outside linebacker in Santa Clara: “It’s good to go against someone besides Aldon (Smith),” he said. …

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — After he arrived at Arkansas in 2013, defensive coordinator Chris Ash treated some of his new players to game tape he viewed more like an instructional video. The unofficial title: The ABCs of playing LB. …

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – After the 49ers’ first joint practice with the Ravens ended early Saturday evening without a fight, Jim Harbaugh walked off the field and joined his father, Jack, who was speaking with two reporters. …

The 49ers have been practicing without wide receivers Michael Crabtree (hamstring) and Brandon Lloyd (undisclosed). In addition, wideout Chuck Jacobs sustained a hyperextended knee in a 23-3 loss to the Ravens on Thursday night. …

BALTIMORE — As 49ers rookie wide receiver Bruce Ellington prepared to field the opening kickoff in his NFL debut Thursday night, he took a moment to scan 71,000-seat M&T Bank Stadium, consider his journey from Moncks Corner, S.C. to the pinnacle of pro football and … endure some insults. …